Festas da Praia 2012
What: Festas da Praia 2012
AKA: Praia Fest
Location: Praia marina, downtown praia
When: August 3-August 11
For more information: http://www.festasdapraia.com/index.php (English language website available, full schedule of events on website)
This is a major food and music festival. Vendors from mainland Portugal set up restaurants along the water and provide full service dining. Other activities include music performances, with this year including October Flight, Puddle of Mudd, Shaggy and others. Bullfights will take place nearby and traditional crafts will be for sale. This is a good time to pick up some local goods from the Azores. In the past, military members and their families were able to park in the base beach area in Praia. Make sure to check it out, you won’t regret it!
Feria de Gastronomia (2012)
What: Feira de Gastronomia 2012
When: April 20-May 13
For just 11 Euros you can enjoy a 3 course meal at selected restaurants on the island (see below for links to posts on participating restaurants). This will include an appetizer, entree, and a dessert. Beverages are not included. The end result will be voting and awards presented to these restaurants based on a variety of factors, including service and menu selections. After your meal, when ordering from this special menu, you may be asked to fill out a card (as has been done in past years). This is in Portuguese, but you should have no trouble if there is at least 1 English speaking staff member there to assist if you have questions. After you complete the voting card there will be a box to submit. Fill out your name and contact information for a chance to win free meals. In order to be eligible for the prize if you win, you must have the receipt, so do not throw those away.
Do not pass up this great opportunity for a great 3 course meal at a great price!
Please feel free to leave comments here letting others know about your experiences trying out the special menu and who you think deserves to win awards for the best food.
Participating Restaurants:
A Ilha
Name: A Ilha
Location: Sao Sebastiao, by town square
Phone Number: 295 904 166
Website: http://www.viaoceanica.com/ilha/
Hours: Wednesday-Monday (Closed Tuesdays), noon-3 pm and 6 pm-10:30 pm
Cuisine: Traditional Portuguese
Brought to Table: Bread, butter, soup
Very welcoming restaurant in the cute town of Sao Sebastiao. Good food and friendly service. A traditional Portuguese meal, with Azorean dishes like alcatra. A good option for traditional food, especially if looking to try out a different restaurant. The location is a short drive from Praia and gives you the chance to experience Sao Sebastiao. There restaurant is roomy so you may want to consider this as a location for a larger gathering as well. Just make sure to call in advance.
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Shopping, Angra
Location: Angra
What: Shopping Area
Hours: Many stores open Monday-Saturday, closing around 6 pm, and often closed for lunch, however each store will have different hours
In Angra you will find a variety of stores, including clothing and gift items. There are a few household items stores with nice gifts. As for clothing, some popular European stores like Mango and Lanidor are great for ladies clothing. Also consider Spaghetti and Tally Weijl. Children’s clothing stores are also available. Jewelry and sunglass stores are abundant. Plus, there are a few good options for souvenirs. Don’t be surprised if family owned stores are closed during lunch. The good news is that if you spend the day down there shopping and find things closed during lunch you can always try one of the great cafes for a bite to eat while you wait. Most of the stores are located on the first few streets off the main square and heading towards the ocean, over to about the large church on the main street. Angra is small, so no need to worry about getting lost. Park your car and head out on foot to explore through all of the streets. you may be surprised by what you find.
O Dicionario
Name: O Dictionario
Location: Praia da Vitoria
Directions: From main base gate go right, then left at the T like you are heading towards Praia. Take your first right, like you are heading towards the VR. When you reach the circle take the very last exit, so skip the VR in both directions and the exit right in front of you. There are actually 5 ways to go in this circle, so the one just before getting back on the way you came. You will see a car dealership on your right. Turn left there. It is in a building that may be hard to miss because it looks like just a house. You can also get here from the tree lined road with Modelo on it. Turn where the school is and from this way you will see the car dealership on the left, so turn right.
Hours: Lunch available Monday-Friday for buffet, Dinner daily with menu
This is a small restaurant, which seems to be popular with the locals looking for a traditional lunch consisting of a variety of foods on the buffet. The owners are friendly, although do not speak much English. Make sure to try some soup before heading to the buffet. Get there early because as lunch continues on, the food will start to disappear.
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Festival Internacional de Chocolate
Click Image for a Larger View
What: Festival Internacional de Chocolate
When: December 8-December 11, 2011, Starting at 3 pm on December 8
Where: Praia da Vitoria, Academia da Juventude
What more really needs to be said! Do not miss out on this fun event, especially if you are a fan of chocolate.
Praia Rock Cafe
Name: Praia Rock Cafe
Location: Praia da Vitoria, across from Poison Tattoo, Rua Mestre do Campo nº10, 9760-488 Praia da Vitória, Portugal
Phone Number: 967-664-120
Website: http://praiarockcafe.blogspot.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am-1 am; Friday and Saturday 9 am- 2 am
A great hangout spot to enjoy good music and good friends. Both locals and Americans can agree this is a fun spot, and it’s not just for the weekends. Plus, you really can’t beat the live music. Grab your friends and go to Praia Rock Cafe to enjoy the Praia nightlife.
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